Trump approves the raid plan targeting Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Date: 2019-10-25
Entry type: cross-border-use-of-force
Current status: Trump approved the raid plan on October 25, 2019; the operation began the next day

CENTCOM's commander said Trump was briefed on the plan and its risks before approving the northwest Syria raid.

Entities and roles

Donald J. TrumpISIS leader targeted in Trump-approved U.S. military raidAbu Bakr al-Baghdadi
legalpoliticaldocumented2 sourcesCited claim 1
Donald J. Trumpapproved raid plan2019 al-Baghdadi raid approval
politicaldocumented2 sourcesCited claim 1

factdocumented
CENTCOM commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said Donald Trump was extensively briefed on the al-Baghdadi raid plan and its execution risks on October 25, 2019, and approved the operation.
- United States Central Command: Department of Defense Press Briefing on the al-Baghdadi RaidOpening statement and October 25 approval chronology
- The White House: The United States Has Brought the Leader of ISIS to JusticeOpening statement and October 25 approval chronology